What a Community!

By Cindy Goldstein
Executive Director
The Darrell D. Friedman Institute for Professional Development at the Weinberg Center

I feel so fortunate to work in a Jewish community that values its professionals. The success of our community depends upon the quality and success of our excellent professionals that we have in every agency, organization and synagogue. Do you know why they are excellent?

Because they value learning, growing and expanding their knowledge so they can perform their jobs better, provide the best service, and advance their own careers in this fabulous field of what we call Jewish communal service. Professionals have a passion for their work, they want to make a difference, they believe in building relationships with their volunteer leaders and their clients/customers/congregants. They are part of a caring team, striving to make this world a better place for all of us, that’s what Jewish community is all about.

And that is what June 5 will be about.

On June 5, professionals will have the opportunity to gather with their colleagues from around the country. The Jewish Communal Service Association (JCSA) will be holding its annual program, a day of professional development, right here at our Weinberg Park Heights JCC. 

We will have the opportunity to celebrate with our mentor and friend, Marc B. Terrill, President of THE ASSOCIATED, who will be installed as the new JCSA President. Marc cares about all the professionals in our community. He values the role that each of us plays and the difference we can and do make in our community. He is a true mentor and colleague.

We’re on the cutting edge of nonprofits, continually striving to meet new challenges. Chip Edelsburg, the Executive Director of the Jim Joseph Foundation, will speak of “Big Ideas, Bold Solutions: The Challenges and Choices of Today’s Jewish Community Professionals.”

Also among the top speakers expected in Baltimore for the conference are: Shifra Bronznick, founding President of Advancing Women Professionals; Miriam Brosseau, Social Media Coalitions Manager at The Jewish Education Project; David Cygielman, co-founder and CEO of Moishe House; William Daroff, Vice President for Public Policy and Director of the Washington Office of The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA); Sarah Gershman, President of Green Room Speakers; and Deborah Grayson Riegel, coach, trainer and speaker.

“This is an excellent opportunity for Baltimore to showcase its rich and vibrant Jewish community to other professionals from across the country,” said Michael Hoffman. “Working with THE ASSOCIATED’s professional development arm, the Darrell D. Friedman Institute, JCSA is putting on a diverse program that will inform the work of our most-seasoned professionals and help ensure the future success of the country’s newer staff.”

Are you one of the hundreds of passionate professionals working for a Jewish organization in Baltimore, striving to make a difference in our community? Then join us on June 5 to network with your colleagues, learn from experts in our field, and go back to your organization renewed and rejuvenated! Register at www.thedfi.org/jcsa.